My travel journey: New Zealand

Why do we travel? A question perhaps as old as humanity itself, and with numerous answers: To discover the world and experience things outside our normal lives. To get to know ourselves again in a foreign environment and to enjoy the freedom of being on the move.

Exactly three years ago, our journey took us to the serene and beautiful island country that's called New Zealand. The calm and peaceful city was so appealing, we fell in love. The journey brought us a zest for life, passion and pure inspiration.

We were in New Zealand for about a week. The first few days were spent in Auckland. A lot of our time was spent enjoying each other's company; drinking wine, watching the local TVCs (whilst studying the local advertising culture), strolling down the empty streets of Auckland at night and shopping! Haha. What's new? We were there during the end of winter so there were so many clearance sales, it was crazy not to shop! The weather was perfect - not too cold and definitely not hot. So it was a good change, a change we needed - away from the humidity back home.

And we also had the chance to explore the city quite a bit. We visited some funky shops, cafes and restored shopping arcades lined up along the Karangahape Road on the first day. On the second day, we visited Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium and Auckland Art Gallery. On the third day, we went to the harbour where we saw a lot of beautiful yachts. On the fourth day, we rented a car and drove down to Matamata. The journey was about 2 hours drive. We wanted to take Isaac to Hobitton Movie Set, where they filmed The Lord of The Rings and Hobbit. A must see if you are a fan. The place was simply gorgeous. The scenery was spectacular.

The next few days were spent mainly to eat all different type of steaks - lunches & dinners haha. The beef there was oh so yummy and fresh! Our favourite was The Angus Steak House.

Hubby also took me to a strip club hahahaha #dontjudge. I am Thai, so this type of place is not really alien to me but it was kinda refreshing to go to one other than Thai strip clubs lol.

So yeah, Auckland was really not as boring as how some people pictured it to us. Without a doubt, you will need to do your research of the place you are visiting, before visiting. For me, it is crucial to truly understand the city and the country; the customs, traditions, social and if you are there for business - business etiquette, to make sure you are able to enjoy the trip.

There is one more reason why we travel: To experience the true relationship in its purest form. Because along the way, we can forge close relationship in the shortest of times. Nothing else brings us closer. And nothing else creates so many shared memories. “Do you remember that time in Hobbiton?”

I read somewhere that you should only marry that person after you have traveled with him or her. So true! My husband is by far the best travel companion that I can ask for. He is so resourceful and very accommodative. And the best part about our relationship is, we know exactly what each other wants. No questions asked, no words spoken, and yet we understand each other so well. This is the type of travel companion that you ought to have. Especially when you are in a foreign land.

Ah, I miss exploring foreign lands.

It used to be simpler back then. And more affordable. Going for a good family vacation abroad now means more money needed. 4 flight tickets instead of 2 and half.  A proper apartment or hotel instead of just a clean-safe-inn. And then, there’s traveling duration factor. 

So let me work hard and save all the penny I can and I will see you somewhere out there!

Anyway, here are some of the pictures from our trip.

At Matamata for a day trip

In one of the hobbit's houses at Hobbiton

At one of the parks. The grass was so greeeeeen

The weather was always perfect for a stroll during our stay there

Isaac was getting a little freezing - at a train station

The street of Auckland at night. Like a ghost town. The city was pretty much dead after 8pm - the malls were closed, the bars were empty and the streets were clear. According to some of the locals whom we made friends with, the typical Kiwis are very much the homely type. They start work at 9am, finish at 6pm, prolly go for a glass of beer and home they go to be with the family. I even heard that their public schools start their first lessons later than Malaysia's schools - just to time the going-out-from-home close to parents' working hours

At Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium

At Angus Steak House

 We chose our own beef and salad for them to prepare for us. It was a fun process

 The harbour - all that beautiful yachts hmmm #dream #retirementgoal

Outside the strip club. Hubs had to tip some of the showgirls. They practically forced us to

A family affair

Some pictures from hubs' birthday dinner at Marmalade Cafe, Bangsar Village II. Totally recommended for families who are looking for a children friendly cafe/restaurant. They have a small play area so hubs and I managed to squeeze some romantic time (haha) and we managed to actually eat at the same time (we usually take turns to hold Sophie) and finished our food! What more could we ask for? :)

 All in all, it was a great dinner, just the four of us. 

Lunch Date

Hubs and I have been going on lunch dates almost everyday lately. We used to do this a lot those days, when we used to work together. Or even after both of us left Uptrend. But it stopped for a while when I joined my previous workplace.

I love going out trying new places during lunch. To me, that one hour break is my cooling off period. I need to go out else I will feel so restless.

So for the past one week, we have been going around trying out new makan places. And if we have some extra time, we drop by at some random warehouse sale lol

#StayBeautiful

Y

Better

This picture was self taken at 4 in the morning; preparing for our big event together in 2006

I feel so in love today. Honey sent me few love songs. Just like the good old days when he used to email me romantic love songs and then printed out the lyrics on beautiful papers. Just to make me feel better.

So what I am trying to say is, everything that he makes, makes it better. And no matter what the days, with him here, it's better. Period.

The one about bus

Isaac: Daddy, how come there's a TV in the bus but we don't have it in our car?

Hubby: Because Mummy will feel dizzy watching TV in car.

Isaac: Then, can Daddy buy a bus?

Hubby: Who's going to sit in it? So big.

Isaac: *He starts mentioning all his friends' and teachers' names*

Hubby: Then go where?

Isaac: School!

Hubby: Does it mean Daddy is your bus driver now?

Isaac: Yes! When I grow up, I will also become a bus driver!

Haha. Funny lil fella :)

Being married

Obviously, before we got married Honey knew that he was getting married to a juicy, smart, funny, loving, wild and adventurous girl. And I am sure he knew what was he getting into.

That is why, Honey has given me the green light to join the travel group to Bali sometime before year end (I can't confirm the time yet, waiting for Lyn to come back to Malaysia). And, Honey has also given me the gold baton to pay a trip to Dee Anna baby in Sydney in August or September.

That doesn't include all the nights out that I have been enjoying, at least once a month.

Oh, did I tell you that he wouldn't mind if I want to join my friends for drinks and a lil bit of dancing session after work as long as they can fetch me home safely?

Being married doesn't mean that you need to stay at home, take care of your kids and just spread your legs whenever your husband gets turned on after seeing a pair of big boobs or bloody firm ass. Being married doesn't mean that you have to forget all your friends whom you've known for a good decade. Being married doesn't mean that you need to end your life.

Being married means; you've got to enjoy your life like you have never did. To be loved, to be taken care of and to be understood by your beloved partner. And most important is to be able to be your own self!

This is me. I know what am I doing. My hubby knows what is he doing. So who are you to judge?

My understatement

I tend to worry about too many things. I get worried too easily. I worry about everything around me. So I thought it was okay when I got very moody for one tiny thing and then started crying for nothing. It prolonged for few months until I realised that I might suffer from post-natal depression. It was bad. It was the worse time in my life. I was young and I was not ready. But no one could be as lucky as I was. I had one thing that others didn't have. My husband.

I have the most perfect husband on this whole planet earth. He has always been there for me. Even when I started shouting at him for something that I did wrong, he will just swallow his saliva and smiled weakly at me. I was angry all the time. I was sure that it was just because of tiredness, only to discover that I needed help.

It's been few years now. I hope that when we are both ready to get pregnant again, I won't need to start worrying about this all over again. God bless us.